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VATSSA Transfer and Visiting Policy

1. VATSIM Policies

  • This policy should be read in conjunction with any applicable VATSIM policy.

2. Definitions

  • Transfer: A person wishing to permanently transfer to another Region or Division so that their relationship with the old Division ceases and the new Division becomes their registered home Division.
  • Visiting Controller: A person who wishes to control in another Division whilst retaining the permanent relationship with their existing home Division.

3. Transfers to VATSSA

3.1 Eligibility & Restrictions (by rating)

  • OBS rating
  • A VATSIM member may transfer to VATSSA with an OBS rating as long as they have not transferred Region or Division within the last 90 days.
  • S1 or above
  • A VATSIM member may transfer to VATSSA with a controller rating of S1 or above as long as they have not transferred Region or Division within the last 90 days.
  • A member may only transfer when they have held their rating for 90 days or more.
  • A member may only transfer when they have controlled 50 hours towards their current rating, at least 50% of which must be at the home Division.
  • Instructor ratings
  • Instructor ratings are not transferrable. Should a VATSIM member transfer to VATSSA, they will lose their instructor rating and revert to their previously held rating.

3.2 Processing & Possible Rejection

VATSSA must accept all reasonable transfer requests and process them by the most expeditious means. An application may be rejected if:

  • The member is not eligible for transfer.
  • The member has documented history which must be taken into consideration.
  • At the discretion of VATSSA staff with good reason and the right to appeal to Division and Region staff by the member.

3.3 How to Request a Transfer (from a non-EMEA Division)

  • Visit my.vatsim.net and request to change Region.

3.4 How to Request a Transfer (within EMEA)

  • Contact the VATSSA Membership Manager through Discord, or by email (address available on vatssa.com).

3.5 Post-Transfer Competency Check

  • Newly transferred controllers who did not previously hold controlling approvals within VATSSA shall undertake a competency check with an approved mentor, as per the Training Guide and Policy.
  • If VATSSA controlling standards are not met within 90 days, or if the member does not accept the local induction plan, the transfer becomes void and they may return to their previous Division without loss of their current rating.

4. Visiting Controllers

4.1 Eligibility

  • Hold a VATSIM ATC rating of S2 or above.
  • The rating must have been held for 90 days or more.
  • The rating must have been used to control for at least 50 hours in the home Division on positions relevant to that rating.

4.2 Instructor Restrictions

  • A visiting Controller shall not control using any instructor rating that may be held.
  • Instructor ratings may not be granted to visiting Controllers.
  • Visiting Controllers may apply to become mentors at VATSSA.

4.3 Processing

  • VATSSA must accept all reasonable visiting Controller requests and process them by the most expeditious means.

4.4 How to Apply

  • Refer to the VATSSA Training Guide and Policy to request Controller training.

4.5 Grounds for Rejection

  • The member is not eligible to visit VATSSA.
  • The member has documented history which must be taken into consideration.
  • At the discretion of VATSSA staff with good reason and the right to appeal to Division staff by the member.

4.6–4.8 Additional Rules

  • Visiting Controllers may not hold any staff position within VATSSA.
  • Visiting Controllers must control more than 50% of controlling hours within their home Division.
  • Visiting Controllers may not undertake training for a rating upgrade within VATSSA.

4.9 Revocation of Visiting Status (without warning)

  • The member breaks VATSSA or VATSIM policy.
  • Controlling standards are not at the required level.
  • Local procedures for controlling are not followed.
  • At the discretion of VATSSA staff with good reason and the right to appeal to Division staff by the member.